Belvidere Culver's employee charged with identity theft, 80 victims

BELVIDERE - A Belvidere Culver's assistant manager was arrested Tuesday for stealing the credit and debit card numbers of customers while working the drive-thru window.

Curtis Peck, 28, of Rockford was charged with two counts of identity theft, a Class 4 felony punishable by one to three years in prison.

Belvidere Police saw an increase in identify theft during December 2013 and January, the release said. The victims reported that the offender was making local purchases on their credit or debit cards.

Leads from victims and business owners led authorities to the 1800 block of Crestwood Avenue in Rockford where authorities executed a search warrant. There, officers seized computer equipment, an electronic credit card writer, blank credit cards, receipts, drug paraphernalia, cannabis and a vehicle.

Authorities said they believe that Peck obtained credit and debit card numbers while working the drive-thru window. Police say they believe there were more than 80 victims who collectively lost thousands of dollars in the past 60 days.

On Thursday, police examined the computer that was seized during the search warrant and were able to obtain a list of potential victims. Officers will be making contact with each one.

The Culver's business has been cooperative with police and has assisted authorities during the entire investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected, police said in a news release out Friday.

Anyone with information about a crime is encouraged to call the Belvidere Police Department at 815-544-2135 or Crime Stoppers at 815-547-7867.